Cub Tracks doubles its pleasure

Double your fun! The simCubs visited the actual House That Ruth Built and came away victorious as the Cubs’ hurlers threw a two-hitter at the mighty simYankees — Ryan Yarbrough had a no-no going for 6⅔ innings and never seemed threatened, though he did have a couple of anxious moments. Dan Winkler continued his fine work and Craig Kimbrel came on for his 28th save, second in the league. Kris Bryant hit a screaming humpbacked liner into the left-field stands for the only tallies of the game after Jason Kipnis took one off his foot.

If you like pitching and defense, here are some highlights for you:

Today Jon Lester (10-3) tries to go to 11 against Masahiro Tanaka, who is already 11-3 and should prove a formidable opponent for ageless Jon. Al will have more about the game in the game post at 2:30 p.m. CT, and then I’ll post the actual URL to the stream at 3 p.m. CT. Or you can catch the game at the BCB Media Center and also catch past games and game videos, if you want the full #simCubs experience.

And now, here’s Cub Tracks News and Notes. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used here as sarcasm font. Still not a ton of news, but there are some things.

When players report to summer camp, they will be required to undergo “intake screenings,” which will include a COVID-19 saliva test and a COVID-19 antibodies blood test. All players will be tested for COVID-19 at least every other day during the season, or more frequently if deemed necessary.

• Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): “‘They go, we go’ — with Bryant, Rizzo batting 1-2 this season, there’s no better slogan for Cubs.” “Perhaps you’ve heard of these guys.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why Burl Carraway might break Cubs pitching development drought. “He was the best relief pitching prospect in the draft,” Jim Callis said. “In terms of pure stuff standpoint, he might be the best lefty reliever the Cubs have right now.” Patrick Mooney has thoughts on this {$}.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): The transaction freeze was lifted by MLB, but immediately re-imposed by COVID-19. “The Atlanta Braves placed RHP Jeremy Walker on the 45-day Injured List with a right shoulder impingement.” That was it.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): These 5 Cubs could benefit most from new rules, potential for fewer transactions. Burl Carraway, Adbert Alzolay, Nico Hoerner, Victor Caratini, Ian Miller.
• Ronald Blum (AP via Chicago Tribune* {$}): Meet the 11 MLB players who won’t get paychecks for the 60-game season because their prorated pay amounts to less than their March advances. Jharel Cotton is one of them.
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): How the Iowa Cubs responded when a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. “The club suspended ballpark operations on Thursday after a Principal Park staff member tested positive.” Cubs testing team.
• Cubs birthdays: Hal Breeden, Chris Speier, Mark Grace, Matt Karchner, Ron Mahay. Also notable: Don Baylor.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading!